Turkeys R Us is in a race against the clock.

With 11 days left before turkeys have to be ordered so they can be distributed to 12 food closets serving struggling families in Manteca, Ripon, and Lathrop the community-based effort is 421 turkeys short for Thanksgiving. That is in addition to 950 they need for Christmas to make sure no struggling family in the three communities goes without a traditional Thanksgiving meal.

Additional donations of cash and turkeys Friday brought the number of turkeys to 341. That included $1,649 in cash including a $500 check from P.L. Fry & Son plus one frozen turkey. Second Harvest Food Bank has arranged to purchase turkeys for $12 each.

A typical household receiving the turkey meals often have at least one person working. They are on the ropes financially either due to reduced hours, medical expenses, or have lost their jobs. A good number are on limited income either as seniors without adequate financial, resources and single mothers.

Several groups have stepped up to conduct turkey drives for the effort.

Events and dates where turkeys can be dropped off at are:

uWednesday, Nov. 12: Second Harvest hosting the Manteca Chamber of Commerce. Donations can be made during the event 8 to 9 a.m.

uFriday, Nov. 14: Bank of the West Manteca, Commerce Avenue, 3 to 6 p.m.

uFriday thru Sunday, Nov. 14-16: Stuff the Bus with Regional Transit District at the Food 4 Less in Manteca (Friday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday and Sunday 10a.m. to 4 p.m.)

uSaturday, Nov. 15:  Stuff the Fire Truck at Safeway in Manteca 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

uSunday, Nov. 16: Northgate Little League at the snack shack on Hoyt Avenue 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 Frozen turkeys can be taken to Second Harvest at 704 E. Industrial Park Drive in  Manteca Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monetary donations can be made online at www.localfoodbank.org or dropped off or mailed to Second Harvest, Coldwell Banker 319 N. Main St. Manteca, or Beacon Realty 211 E. Center St. Manteca .

Sue Teunissen and Leann McNabb are chairing the drive. If you have questions contact the food bank at 239.2091 or contact McNabb at 815.6754.